S&W 629 Cylinder Won't Open In 2 Spots

[mikerccie]

I have a 6" Stainless 629 in .44 Mag that I really like. On my most recent range trip I noticed that in two of its six positions the cylinder won't open. The cylinder release goes forward but the cylinder is locked up tight. If I fire or cock/release the gun it won't open on the next position either. After a second cock/release the cylinder opens with zero problems.

Short version - 4 spots fine, 2 spots locked up tight.

I'll admit to being horrible about cleaning guns - I hate it and am not good at it. This gun has had most of the crud wiped off it during it's lifetime but no detail cleaning.

Any hints?

Edited To Add:
Shipped it to S&W, it arrived there last Friday, got a letter this Monday saying they had it, Tuesday was an email saying it was coming back - it arrived today (Thursday). S&W's paperwork says they replaced the extractor rod and the center pin. It opens and closes like a dream now. I'm hoping it says fixed and I can't think of anything I did to make the original one "go bad".

 

[gunman41mag]

I have a 6" Stainless 629 in .44 Mag that I really like. On my most recent range trip I noticed that in two of its six positions the cylinder won't open. The cylinder release goes forward but the cylinder is locked up tight. If I fire or cock/release the gun it won't open on the next position either. After a second cock/release the cylinder opens with zero problems.

Short version - 4 spots fine, 2 spots locked up tight.

I'll admit to being horrible about cleaning guns - I hate it and am not good at it. This gun has had most of the crud wiped off it during it's lifetime but no detail cleaning.

Any hints?

Send the gun to SMITH & WESSON, they fix it for F R E E

 

[mikerccie]

Send the gun to SMITH & WESSON, they fix it for F R E E

That's my plan if there isn't a "Hey Dummy Clean the (insert part here)" solution.

Thanks!

 

[billybob44]

Most likely causes.

1. Dirt/crud under the ejector star.
2. Dirt/crud/lead build up at cyl.+forcing cone.
3. Loose ejector rod sleeve.
All involve GOOD cleaning/tightening of parts and can be done by owner or someone who is familiar with S&W operations.
I would do this, or have someone do before sending the "N" frame off to be repaired..Bill.

 

[mikerccie]

1. Dirt/crud under the ejector star.
2. Dirt/crud/lead build up at cyl.+forcing cone.
3. Loose ejector rod sleeve.
All involve GOOD cleaning/tightening of parts and can be done by owner or someone who is familiar with S&W operations.
I would do this, or have someone do before sending the "N" frame off to be repaired..Bill.

I just saw a few google articles about the ejector rod being loose - I'll have to find my manual and figure out how to check that.

Thanks!

 

[billybob44]

Ejector Rod Loose??

I just saw a few google articles about the ejector rod being loose - I'll have to find my manual and figure out how to check that.

Thanks!

Find an insulator-I use rubber vacuum hose-that will slide over end of ejector rod-that is the metal stem that you push to remove spent cases.
Install at least 2-I prefer all 6 spent cases into cyl.
Tighten rod sleeve with pliers, being careful not to cut through insulator placed on end of rod. REMEMBER--LEFT HANDED threads on rod==to tighten turn to the LEFT/CONTER-CLOCKWISE.
Try to avoid damage to rod sleeve with pliers. Bill.

 

[mikerccie]

Find an insulator-I use rubber vacuum hose-that will slide over end of ejector rod-that is the metal stem that you push to remove spent cases.
Install at least 2-I prefer all 6 spent cases into cyl.
Tighten rod sleeve with pliers, being careful not to cut through insulator placed on end of rod. REMEMBER--LEFT HANDED threads on rod==to tighten turn to the LEFT/CONTER-CLOCKWISE.
Try to avoid damage to rod sleeve with pliers. Bill.

I cloth-padded a pair of pliers and didn't have enough strength/bravery to get the rod to turn. I went left handed and had no luck getting it to move.

It's interesting to note that it binds like this with an empty cylinder.

 

[sbcman]

I cloth-padded a pair of pliers and didn't have enough strength/bravery to get the rod to turn. I went left handed and had no luck getting it to move.

It's interesting to note that it binds like this with an empty cylinder.

Well, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your 629 is ruined. Please PM me for a FTF so I can take it off your hands.

Seriously, don't use pliers. Put empty shells in cylinder and use a padded vice. Threads are counter-clockwise.

 

[gunman41mag]

Mike just send the damn gun to smith & wesson before you funk it up

 

[mikerccie]

Mike just send the damn gun to smith & wesson before you funk it up

Yup, that's the plan - I'll be calling next week. Might have to poke around the S&W custom shop page and see if there is anything else they should do to it while it's there.

Thanks for your help!

 

[mrortega]

You could have a bent cylinder pin.